OTTAWA, Ont. — Eight Canadian animation teams have been named semifinalists for Pitch THIS! 2026, the flagship pitching competition of The Animation Conference (TAC).
Presented by the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the annual competition will take place this September during the Ottawa International Animation Festival’s (OIAF) 50th anniversary.
Selected from more than 100 applications, the semifinalists will present their projects to a live industry audience and jury on September 23 at TAC 2026. They will compete for a grand prize package valued at $11,300 CAD, including cash, software, legal services and return passes to the festival and conference in 2027.
Two projects will be selected by the semifinalist jury to advance to the Pitch THIS! finale on September 24, where the grand prize and runner-up winners will be announced.
“It’s exciting to platform original animation IP from Canadian creators during OIAF’s 50th anniversary,” said Sarah Lamoureux, Pitch THIS! coordinator. “Pitch THIS! is a rare opportunity for Canadian creators to showcase new animated projects and connect with industry decision-makers. This year’s cohort reflects the range of talent and ideas coming out of Canada’s animation community.”
The 2026 Pitch THIS! semifinalists and their projects are:
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Abe Hutton, Billie & Beak
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Ali Kellner and Noam Sussman, Community Garden
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Desirée Green, Connext
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Segun Samson, Dukiya
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Cheyenne Curtis, King Baby Snail
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Dez Sargeant-Blair, Lost Soles
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Henedy Macias and Dieter Magallan, Mambo and Domingo
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Gino Baldeon, tiny BIG adventure
Pitch THIS! 2019 winner Ali Kellner returns to the competition this year with Noam Sussman. The pair also has a film in OIAF’s new Platform Animation category, TED-Ed “Can Saunas Make You Live Longer?”.
The grand prize includes a $5,000 CAD cash prize from presenting partner CMF, a $2,500 CAD cash prize from 2024 Pitch THIS! winners Tarun Padmakumar and Joanna Fishbein of Hare of High Park, a Harmony Premium Annual license and online training from Toon Boom Animation; $1,000 CAD in legal services courtesy of Edwards Creative Law; and two passes to OIAF and TAC 2027.
The runner-up prize includes a free one-hour legal consultation from Edwards Creative Law. House of Cool Studios Inc. is providing $400 CAD travel bursaries for each semifinalist creator or team to help creators present their pitches in person at TAC.
Since 2005, Pitch THIS! has connected emerging animation talent with industry mentors and jurors, helping creators pitch directly to producers at TAC.
About the Ottawa International Animation Festival
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events and North America’s oldest animation festival. It has presented screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment since 1976. Attracting artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the globe, the OIAF brings together art and industry to experience world-class animated works. OIAF’s 50th celebration runs from September 23 to September 27 at venues throughout downtown Ottawa. Festival passes are on sale now.
